West=On=Track
-News

Statement by Mayo Chambers
on the Western Rail Corridor

19th June
2008

Following a meeting of the six Mayo Chambers we have
agreed to issue the following joint statement:

We note the tremendous work being undertaken on
rebuilding the Ennis-Claremorris section of the Western Rail
Corridor, in line with the vision set out by government in
the National Spatial Strategy, connecting the hub towns of
Ballina and Castlebar with their Gateway city of Galway.

The Western Rail Corridor represents half of one percent
of the expenditure under Transport 21. It is the only public
transport capital project in the West of Ireland, 14 of the
18 rail projects being for the Greater Dublin Area.

A review of the northern section of this railway between
Claremorris and Sligo is due to take place in 2008, as
recommended in the McCann Report. We would urge that this
review commence as soon as possible and as part of this
review, consideration should be given to providing increased
connectivity to Ireland West Airport, Ireland's fourth
International Airport.

Lack of connectivity is often cited as an impediment to
development in the BMW region. As the region's only
international airport, the economic benefit of Ireland West
Airport cannot be overstated. Its tourism potential for
County Mayo alone is immense, with major international
attractions such as Ballina "the Salmon Capital of Ireland",
Knock Shrine, The National Museum at Turlough, Castlebar,
The Ceide Fields, Achill and Westport, all within easy
reach.

In addition, the recent increase in rail
freight from Mayo and Sligo to Waterford will
deliver in excess of euro10 million in cost savings
over the next five years, while eliminating 3.4 million
lorry miles from our roads.

Ireland West Airport and the Western Rail Corridor
greatly add to the economic competitiveness of the BMW
Region and contribute toward the Governments policy of
Balanced Regional Development.